Algorithm - Book 1 - The Medallion

Chapter 19

            And just a matter of time before you visit Herman's little farmhouse and make some more interesting discoveries.

Adam had been careful not to mention the kidnapping and the attempted murder last night. Right now he just needed some time. Bloustein had also asked about the missing policemen. Their last call came from the mine, and their abandoned patrol car was found near its entrance. Everyone knew the mine belonged to Borman, however, as there was no obvious connection between Adam and the mine, the questions appeared to be routine.

            "Then we're done here?" Adam asked.

            "For now. But I want you to stay someplace local. Let me know where. I don't want you leaving town until we get the reports from the coroner's office and forensics. It may take a few days to get everything straight and I may have some more questions for you. Here's my number."

Adam took the card. The police report would say that Hedda defended herself, that two shots were fired, the fatal one striking Herman Borman in the heart. The coroner's report would corroborate Adam's story.

 But the forensics report could be another matter. Ballistics might point to a third shooter, and we don't want to forget the hole in the floor. 

Linda and Alpha were long gone. After the shooting and before the police arrived he gave his gun to Linda. They agreed to regroup at the Starlight. In this way explanations could be kept to a minimum and the challenge of explaining Alpha to the police was happily avoided. It was late afternoon when Adam was finally released from officer Bloustein's interrogation.

***

The early evening news hissed through wavering shades of green and orange, slightly out of synch with the anchorman's undulating mouth. Adam stepped out of an incredibly refreshing shower, but was still worn out. Donning the clothes he wore for the past several days did nothing to revitalize, rather it had the effect of reminding him of the twisted situation in which he and Linda were ensnared.  Each step seemed to take all his concentration.  He passed Alpha seated on the edge of a bed and angled himself into the single desk chair in their room.

He had driven his car to the Starlight Motel escorted by the police. Linda and Alpha arrived at the motel by foot shortly afterward. They all knew that the half-truths Adam told the police would eventually unravel, maybe even by this afternoon. Their time at the motel was going to be short.

Linda held out a box of cold pizza. "Here. Have a slice. It'll do you wonders."

Adam gratefully accepted it. "What a crappy TV. I guess the digital world hasn't quite arrived at the Starlight."

 "Excuse me," said Alpha, "My fault." Alpha's left hand moved over his glove and the image cleared up.

"What does the glove do?" asked Adam.

"It is a directional electromagnetic device which allows the user to attract or repel anything made of iron or any other ferrous-like metal."